Impact of 3D printing on Orthopedic Surgery in India: Has the Technology Really Arrived!

Abstract

Surgical innovations have driven advancements in patient care, leading to improved surgical results and decreased patient morbidity. The integration of new technical advancements in orthopedic surgery is linked to the clinical advantages, ethical challenges, financial factors, and its broader influence on the global health-care sector [1]. 3D printing in orthopedic surgery is a developing technique that is rapidly gaining recognition and positively impacting patient results. The widespread influence and usefulness of 3D printing in orthopedics have been confirmed through reports detailing its application in complex trauma, complex hip revision surgeries, and various other areas such as complex spine deformity for pedicle screw trajectory guides, 3D printed implants, and bio-scaffolds [2-5]. The amount of scientific literature on the use of 3D printing in orthopedics has significantly increased in the past decade, both internationally and in India [6]. However, it has this quickly rising trend in the field of orthopedic surgery “really arrived in India.”